Okpua Nelson Chidinma and Uduituma Sandra Oluch
Virtually everyone, except 3% of people in Nigeria, is at high risk of malaria infection. This risk is further increased by various factors, including pregnancy. Specific interventions aimed at controlling malaria infection has proven to be ineffective as the disease has continued to rise. This study retrospectively explored the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women who used insecticide treated nets in Abakaliki. Method: Medical records of pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics and were documented to have used insecticide treated nets from 2012 to 2017, at Mile 4 hospital Abakaliki, were retrieved. Data was analysed using frequency tables, percentages and Revman 5.3 statistical software. Result: Out of 2826 pregnant women who attended antenatal visits within the period of this study, only 425(15%) were reported to have used insecticide treated nets. Their mean age was 43.4, while majority 284 (66.8%) were within the age of 17 and 30 years. 313(73.6%) of those reported to have used ITNs were diagnosed of malaria during the course of the pregnancy. This was higher 219 (77.1%) among women aged 17 to 30 years but decreased slightly as the women advanced in age. Parity was inversely associated with the risk for malaria infection in pregnancy (P<0.001). Women who had one to two pregnancies suffered more malaria infection (89.2%) compared to other women of higher parities. Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women who use insecticide treated bed nets is high. Studies are needed to determine their knowledge on the principles of proper use of insecticide treated bed nets; and to ascertain the relationship between time spent outside bed nets at night and the prevalence of malaria infection.
Share this article